Intro

Welcome to the Moderation FAQ. This thread was created to clarify the moderation process so please consult it if you have any rules-related questions. If you can't find what you're looking for here, take a look at The Moderation Team User Group. Our mods check it regularly for questions and suggestions.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct before continuing since this FAQ is based on it. It's is always good to be aware of the rules. Keep in mind that certain forums have specific rules, they can be found in stickied threads such as this one in User Reviews.

Forum policy is implemented by the Community Manager, n0e, and by the moderation team. Moderators are volunteers dedicated to helping the community. They have blue names, whereas staff members have golden ones.

A list of mods: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

Our rules and moderation team are established specifically with the intent to maintain a safe environment, encouraging discussion and community.

General

I'm not sure if what I'm about to post will get me in trouble or not, how can I be sure?

As a rule of thumb, if you feel you have to ask, please rethink if it is really necessary to risk it.

Disagreeing with a person or topic and explaining why is perfectly acceptable, but to judge someone based on their ideals or preferences is not. For example: Saying you dislike something is okay, but saying you dislike the people that like it isn't. Personal attacks are unacceptable, but having a differing opinion is not. Consider whether your post can offend someone and if so, please amend it.

If you are still unsure, feel free to ask a moderator via PM. The mods are a part of the community and will gladly help make things more clear, or at the very least, the reasoning behind how something could be offensive. We're people too, so just ask.

I want to post a controversial opinion, what should I do to avoid mod wrath?

Our cardinal rule is that it is more about how you say something, not what you say. Always make sure to explain your reasoning and to be respectful of other users, no matter their opinion. We do not usually punish people for someone else being offended; we punish them for being purposely offensive.

I think another person is being stupid, can I tell this person that?

In short, no.

The most common result of this, regardless of context, is argument. In the best light it is potentially encouraging a flame war, in the worst case it is starting a fight that could leave the thread and carry a grudge into the forum at large, or aggressive PMs.

Report and move on if you feel yourself to be the victim of trolling.

I want my own thread locked, what should I do?

Please PM a mod. Keep in mind that only the creator of a thread can request it to be locked.

Can someone jump punishment levels for harsher infractions?

Yes. Spambots, advertisers and extreme trolls are banned immediately, however it is rare for a normal user to incur a greater punishment.

If someone obviously isn't and never will be a competent member of this forum, will they get insta-banned regardless of moderation history?

No, we will always give users the benefit of the doubt. There are however instances when users can jump punishment levels, see the question above for more information.

If you are bothered by a specific user, use the 'ignore user' function on your profile. It will hide any posts that that specific user makes (which you can then expand at your leisure), allowing for you to not be bothered during your forum experience here.

I have a problem with a feature or contributor, what should I do?

Criticism for featured content or contributors follows the same rules as discussion on the forums. Disagreement is inevitable and encouraged, while being offensive is not.

Most importantly, just make sure that your criticism is constructive.

I'm new here and you're scaring me, what if I accidentally break the rules?

We understand that it can be intimidating to handle all these rules. Just start posting! Even if you make a mistake, rest in the knowledge that everyone does, and that the best thing you can do is learn from it. Starting out on a big new forum can be a bit daunting, but we have all been there. Do not worry, simply post comfortably, the rules are there so you can do just that. If you still have questions, feel free PM one of the mods listed above.

Moderation

I think the moderators/rules are too harsh, why is that?

We practice open moderation and any post that has broken a rule is clearly marked. This can lead to an illusion of a lot of moderation, since these posts stand out more. If you are uncomfortable with it, feel free to PM a moderator to ask why. We are available, and more than willing to explain the reasons for rules.

I received punishment I don't think I deserve, what should I do?

Please contact our appeal board to appeal the moderation action against you. These appeals are handled by the staff and not the moderation team. You need only submit one request at a time. Remember that this is a request to review your case, not a 'Get out of jail free' card! Polite and well written messages are easier to read, and will likely be met with more leniency. Be aware that it takes time to process an appeal and it can take several days before a reply, especially on a weekend. The reply will be handled via e-mail, not the Escapist PM system, so keep that in mind as you may need to check your spam folder.

Why did one user get a different punishment than another user, even though they had similar posts?

We always take context and previous history into consideration. Also remember that the moderation team is comprised of many different individuals and, as a result, inconsistencies are inevitable. If you feel an error has been made, please contact our appeal board as mentioned above.

I have a problem with a specific moderator, what should I do?

If you believe a moderator is doing something wrong, is unfit, or whatever other grievances you may have, please contact our Community Manager n0e with your problem. As when contacting the appeal board, politeness and clarity is greatly appreciated and will go a long way for your cause.

Please note that any complaints about a specific moderator should only be voiced to the Community Managers. To complain in the forums, to other users or to the moderator in question may be considered mod sass, which is against the rules. 'Don't be a jerk' is the rule that covers this, regardless of whether it is about a staff member, moderator, forum poster, or even banned member who comes up in conversation. Respect is equal for everyone, mod or not. Arguments just make this a worse place, regardless of who is involved.

That said, there is nothing wrong with having complaints about moderation in general and voicing them. The best place to voice your concerns about moderation in general is The Moderation Team User Group..

What happens when I click the report button on the forum?

The post is added to the Moderation Queue, a list of posts that may need moderator attention. The more reports a single post has, the higher up it climbs in the queue, and the more attention it will receive.

What happens when I click the report button for a PM or user?

This is not handled by the mods, it is handled by staff members. Otherwise it is treated just like any other report.

I reported someone and nothing happened, even though this person was blatantly breaking rules, what gives?

The moderation of the forums is time volunteered by many different individuals, living all over the world, in different time zones, and who also have other commitments. As a result, there may be instances when a post is not seen immediately after it is reported. The more reports a post gets the sooner it will be handled, but some posts just takes more time, whether it is a busy day, a lot of mods being on vacation, or maybe just something that requires further investigation. Don't worry, it will be dealt with it as soon as possible.

I accidentally clicked the report button, what should I do?

Nothing. As long as no rule has been broken the mods will realise a mistake has been made and clear the report from the Moderation Queue.

If I got permanently banned, is there a way to come back to the site?

If you really want to come back, you can contact the appeal board, but permanent bans are not taken lightly. Please keep in mind that banjumping is a bannable offence.

How does one become a moderator?

You do not come to us, we come to you. If you do right by this community and show that you know the rules and how to handle yourself, we will find you. Keep in mind that it is tough work, and it may not be as much fun as you might expect.

General Rules

I disagree with the rules, could you change them in any way?

We are not unreasonable, and we will hear out discussion in The Ideas for the Escapist Group.. We may not be able to implement every idea, but valid points will help us understand how our rules can work with everyone's best interests in mind.

Why is my forum health bar visible to everyone?

We practice open moderation here, and thus have chosen to make certain aspects of moderation visible to all users. This is in the hopes of avoiding concerns regarding inconsistencies. They were also made visible to everyone to encourage users to ask about the punishments others have received. It is intended that, by asking around, people will be able to learn from others what is and is not acceptable. It is all a part of the learning process.

The 8 strike system seems unfair, what if you repent?

We have an amnesty system for that. After six 6 months without any infractions, your forum health meter will drop a level. After two years without any infractions your forum health meter will reset. Keep in mind that although it is possible to reset your FHM, your infraction history remains, and will be taken into consideration if ever another infraction is made.

Is the Forum Games & RP forum exempt from the rules?

No, but they are exempt from the low content rule.

Are groups and RPs exempt from rules?

No. We generally let groups and RPs moderate themselves, but no one is exempt from the rules and we will intervene if necessary. Keep in mind that this does not mean that if a group states it, certain rules are exempt, it simply means that users are allowed to enforce supplementary rules so long as they do not break the Code of Conduct. If you are having trouble self moderating, please contact a moderator.

Are PMs exempt from the rules?

No, but they are handled by the staff members, not the mods.

Are mods, admins and contributors exempt from the rules?

No, but they are handled differently, so just because you do not see the result does not mean that nothing happened. Once again, for these issues please contact n0e.

Is featured content exempt from the rules?

Yes. Featured content may break the rules if the creator wishes to do so, but remember that featured content is solicited material with intending to evoke discussion. The comment thread however is part of the forums and subject to moderation.

Are Facebook comments exempt from the rules?

No, but they are exempt from low content. Please go there for low content comments.

What about jokes?

Because you are engaged in a text-based discussion, you need to consider the fact that it is entirely possible your post will be taken literally and/or out of context.

If a thread or OP is low content, does that mean that the posts in that thread are exempt from the low content rule?

No, the same principles apply here as in regards to trolling: simply report and move on.

How about the unofficial standards, things like no versus threads or repeat threads?

These things are less about breaking the rules and more about respecting the community and avoiding threads with little-to-no discussion value.

Regarding repeat threads, you will not receive an infraction, but the thread may be locked. To avoid repeat threads please use the 'Search Forums' button, commonly referred to as the search bar.

Versus threads are, just like everything else, judged on a case by case basis. Versus threads are generally considered flame-bait, but if it has genuine discussion value then it will likely be allowed to remain.

Specific Rules

What exactly does the low content rule refer to and how is it moderated?

Remember that this is first and foremost a discussion forum. If you aren't discussing something, don't post it. Nobody wants to read a bunch of "First" and "this" and "lol"'s strung together. Similarly, links, videos and images should always be used to strengthen a stated opinion. It's more about what you say than how many words you use to say it.

Is the images in spoilers rule really necessary?

Yes, but it is mostly regarding big or obtrusive images. Not everyone has haxxorz bandwidth.

How unreadable does a post have to be to qualify for an infraction?

There are many people on this site with English as a second language. Spelling mistakes happen. However, posts that are intentionally cryptic or annoying, such as typing in ALL CAPS or l1K3 s0 can be punishable if done in excess.

Why are ad blockers in the same category as illegal acts, does this mean you think it's as bad as drugs or murder?

Of course not, it is simply categorized that way for simplicity.

Why is advocating ad blockers against the rules?

The Escapist makes its money on advertisements. In order to keep the site free-to-use, we inevitably must advertise. We are aware that adblocking happens, we just ask you not to endorse it on our soapbox.

If you use ad blockers, please consider adding The Escapist to your white list.

All posts should add to or encourage discussion. This rule only applies to nonsensical, rage-filled rants that do not encourage discussion.

According to the Code of Conduct, posting something offensive is against the rules, but since practically everything can be offensive to someone, how is this handled?

Moderators will try to assess if the comment was purposefully offensive rather than accidentally. Intentionally being offensive is quite different from simply stating a controversial opinion, and the moderators will do their best to determine which is the case.

What's the policy for jokes in relation to low content?

Although posts are dealt with on a case by case basis, generally jokes do not contribute to the discussion and therefore are considered low content when by themselves. If a joke is a part of the post, rather than the whole and fall within the Code of Conduct, they are fine.

Conclusion

We work hard to make this a nice community, but in the end it's all up to you, so please, enjoy yourself and let the discussion flow.

Special thanks to: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

Thank you very much for this FAQ! It certainly clears many things up.I guess one remaining issue is the loss of potential badges, even after being rehabilitated. Then again, are badges really that important?

Bloodstain:Thank you very much for this FAQ! It certainly clears many things up.I guess one remaining issue is the loss of potential badges, even after being rehabilitated. Then again, are badges really that important?

I assume you are talking about the Trinity, Morpheus and Neo badges? They are clearly stated to be rewarded on a moderation free user. Although I do believe warnings don't count against them?Also, yes, badges are that important! *twitch*

You do not come to us, we come to you. If you do right by this community and show that you know the rules and how to handle yourself, we will find you. Keep in mind that it is tough work, and it may not be as fun as you might expect.

I read that, and immediately I imagined roughly this scene playing out when a potential mod is approached.

Great faq GeorgW, it was very informative. I'm glad I found out about ban appeals and mod feedback without being hit with the hammer.

Bloodstain:Thank you very much for this FAQ! It certainly clears many things up.I guess one remaining issue is the loss of potential badges, even after being rehabilitated. Then again, are badges really that important?

I assume you are talking about the Trinity, Morpheus and Neo badges? They are clearly stated to be rewarded on a moderation free user. Although I do believe warnings don't count against them?Also, yes, badges are that important! *twitch*

I am talking about the following case:Someone gets banned for something that is not really ban-worthy. So after reassessing the case, the ban is lifted and the user apologized to. Still, he won't get those badges anymore.

Not that important. (Psst, of course they are important, I am only saying this because I can still get them! Don't blow my cover!)

Bloodstain:Thank you very much for this FAQ! It certainly clears many things up.I guess one remaining issue is the loss of potential badges, even after being rehabilitated. Then again, are badges really that important?

I assume you are talking about the Trinity, Morpheus and Neo badges? They are clearly stated to be rewarded on a moderation free user. Although I do believe warnings don't count against them?Also, yes, badges are that important! *twitch*

I am talking about the following case:Someone gets banned for something that is not really ban-worthy. So after reassessing the case, the ban is lifted and the user apologized to. Still, he won't get those badges anymore.

Not that important. (Psst, of course they are important, I am only saying this because I can still get them! Don't blow my cover!)

Bloodstain:Thank you very much for this FAQ! It certainly clears many things up.I guess one remaining issue is the loss of potential badges, even after being rehabilitated. Then again, are badges really that important?

I assume you are talking about the Trinity, Morpheus and Neo badges? They are clearly stated to be rewarded on a moderation free user. Although I do believe warnings don't count against them?Also, yes, badges are that important! *twitch*

I am talking about the following case:Someone gets banned for something that is not really ban-worthy. So after reassessing the case, the ban is lifted and the user apologized to. Still, he won't get those badges anymore.

Not that important. (Psst, of course they are important, I am only saying this because I can still get them! Don't blow my cover!)

If the ban was actually repealed, it would be removed from the account, and the badge would get awarded the next morning.

This has been overdue in my opinion, thank you for putting together an FAQ from a Mod's point of view. I will make sure to include this in my list of links to send to new users lost in this place we call home.

Erana:Could you voice the official moderator stance on necroposting and repeat threads? As well as how mods feel about people who make posts pointing out such things?

I agree with the what Erana said about necroposting. I mean I sometimes see threads that jump from 09 having the last post to fairly recent, and I've seen people accidentally punished for things that were 2 years old.

The post is added to the Moderation Queue, a list of posts that may need moderator attention. The more reports a single post has, the higher up it climbs in the queue, and the more attention it will receive.

There was a certain instance recently where a rather... angry individual was saying some hate speech and was reported(probably by more people than myself) and he... disappeared. All his posts, gone. User search for his name, no user found. The only record of his existence was from the people who quoted him.

Are there certain instances that don't follow open moderation?

I approve of the result, by the way.

I disagree with the rules, could you change them in any way?

We are not unreasonable, and we will hear out discussion in The Ideas for the Escapist Group.. We may not be able to implement every idea, but valid points will help us understand how our rules can work with everyone's best interest in mind.

Thanks, I had some suggestions I made in an off topic thread(not of my creation) before I knew a place existed specifically for them. I'll definitely use it in the future.

-Dragmire-:There was a certain instance recently where a rather... angry individual was saying some hate speech and was reported(probably by more people than myself) and he... disappeared. All his posts, gone. User search for his name, no user found. The only record of his existence was from the people who quoted him.

Are there certain instances that don't follow open moderation?

I approve of the result, by the way.

Sometimes in rare intenses, when a user doesn't contribute to the community we remove them completely from the community.

Erana:Could you voice the official moderator stance on necroposting and repeat threads? As well as how mods feel about people who make posts pointing out such things?

Repeat threads is in the FAQ:

Regarding repeat threads, you will not receive an infraction, but the thread may be locked. To avoid repeat threads please use the 'Search Forums' button, commonly referred to as the search bar.

Necroing is handled on a case by case basis. For example, if it's a really old thread and the post doesn't add anything meaningful, one may receive an infraction. If you're a new user reviving a month old thread, we may look the other way.

Yes, but it is mostly regarding big or obtrusive images. Not everyone has haxxorz bandwidth.

So why aren't these things automated, put all user posted images/videos in spoiler boxes and the same should go for longer quotes, would make for a much neater forum.

Could also add a low content post warning system that directs people here to get wise, and an ad-blocker detection/reminder, because most people simply forget they have it active on every site.

All this would make your jobs alot simpler and the users happier.

All of that would be a case for the tech team. They're the ones that would have to make stuff like that happen, and they're quite busy already. Basically, it would be nice if some of those things happened, but it's too low on the priority list. However, you could always voice your ideas in The Ideas for the Escapist Group. If enough people support them, they may rise on the priority list.

Normally the Directorate doesn't like me telling the secret formula, but since you asked so politely, I'll let you in on our secret techniques. Keep in mind this all has to be done in a very specific order, and only under the most pristine circumstances.

To start, the first thing you need to do is find the nearest mountain; pack only food, water, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a fresh change of clothes, and begin your hike. Keep in mind, if the nearest mountain is several states or countries away, so be it. It will be a long hike. Be careful to only wear shoes with rubber soles and toes, as steel-toe boots or flip-flops anger the Mountain Gods. Your trip will be long and arduous. This is normal.

Once you arrive at the summit, the Mountain Gods will survey you from on high. If they like your performance during the hike, they will smile down on you. This is good. If they dislike your performance, they'll unleash the Mountain Krakens. This is not good. Be cautious of Mountain Krakens. For best results, pepper yourself liberally with sweat and lemon juice before facing the Mountain Gods, and do not drive for at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. This includes getting to the mountain.

Once you have the blessing of the Mountain Gods, you should return to your home and post the first message that comes to you head in the first thread that catches your eye in Off-Topic. Keep in mind that the Mountain Gods' blessing will be filling your spirit, and their mysterious ways may move through you during posting. If you find yourself more eloquent, less patient, and/or more lumberjack during this particular post, don't worry. This is normal.

One of the Mountain Gods, Nasrin, will immediately recognize this post and put you on the list of eligibles. Here is the most crucial step. Upon suspicion that you're under consideration, begin posting in such a way that the leftmost column of letters spells out a word or phrase in every post. This will take some effort, but the Mountain God Nasrin will reward you ultimately, so stand strong.

After a two month trial period, and a background check through the Redundant Department of Redundancy, you'll be contacted with the good news in four to six business years.

You do not come to us, we come to you. If you do right by this community and show that you know the rules and how to handle yourself, we will find you. Keep in mind that it is tough work, and it may not be as fun as you might expect.

Genuinely, just post as you normally would and act as you normally do. Moderation is one of those things that shows itself as a function of being a positive influence and maintaining good posting habits. It's not enough to push the rules, or to command they be followed, but instead act as a positive example of them in how you think, act, and do.

Modding is just a way to give back to the community. It's not power, it's responsibility. If you work and act in the community's best interest, and for the overall improvement of the forum, then you'll become a likely candidate for moderation. Candidacy is just that, though. No one can say a single way, for better or worse, to become a mod. It's just in the doing, and the being, and hopefully being helpful to everyone along the way.

Normally the Directorate doesn't like me telling the secret formula, but since you asked so politely, I'll let you in on our secret techniques. Keep in mind this all has to be done in a very specific order, and only under the most pristine circumstances.

To start, the first thing you need to do is find the nearest mountain; pack only food, water, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a fresh change of clothes, and begin your hike. Keep in mind, if the nearest mountain is several states or countries away, so be it. It will be a long hike. Be careful to only wear shoes with rubber soles and toes, as steel-toe boots or flip-flops anger the Mountain Gods. Your trip will be long and arduous. This is normal.

Once you arrive at the summit, the Mountain Gods will survey you from on high. If they like your performance during the hike, they will smile down on you. This is good. If they dislike your performance, they'll unleash the Mountain Krakens. This is not good. Be cautious of Mountain Krakens. For best results, pepper yourself liberally with sweat and lemon juice before facing the Mountain Gods, and do not drive for at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. This includes getting to the mountain.

Once you have the blessing of the Mountain Gods, you should return to your home and post the first message that comes to you head in the first thread that catches your eye in Off-Topic. Keep in mind that the Mountain Gods' blessing will be filling your spirit, and their mysterious ways may move through you during posting. If you find yourself more eloquent, less patient, and/or more lumberjack during this particular post, don't worry. This is normal.

One of the Mountain Gods, Nasrin, will immediately recognize this post and put you on the list of eligibles. Here is the most crucial step. Upon suspicion that you're under consideration, begin posting in such a way that the leftmost column of letters spells out a word or phrase in every post. This will take some effort, but the Mountain God Nasrin will reward you ultimately, so stand strong.

After a two month trial period, and a background check through the Redundant Department of Redundancy, you'll be contacted with the good news in four to six business years.

That... that was amazing. I've only heard of you briefly, NewClassic, but now I can see why you're a legend!

You do not come to us, we come to you. If you do right by this community and show that you know the rules and how to handle yourself, we will find you. Keep in mind that it is tough work, and it may not be as fun as you might expect.

Genuinely, just post as you normally would and act as you normally do. Moderation is one of those things that shows itself as a function of being a positive influence and maintaining good posting habits. It's not enough to push the rules, or to command they be followed, but instead act as a positive example of them in how you think, act, and do.

Modding is just a way to give back to the community. It's not power, it's responsibility. If you work and act in the community's best interest, and for the overall improvement of the forum, then you'll become a likely candidate for moderation. Candidacy is just that, though. No one can say a single way, for better or worse, to become a mod. It's just in the doing, and the being, and hopefully being helpful to everyone along the way.

It's mostly just a lot of work.

Oh... Kind of wish I saw that, earlier. >.<

I understand how much of a commitment being a moderator is, but I feel like I haven't done anything for the community that's done so much for me. Granted, I'm not willing to go through the trials of being a mod (yet), what with beginning college and all, but I just want a way to give back to the community!

You forgot the part where everyone accuses you of being a fascist all the time. And the part about how your only sustenance is tears of the innocent. But yeah, other than that responsibility blah blah.

You forgot the part where everyone accuses you of being a fascist all the time. And the part about how your only sustenance is tears of the innocent. But yeah, other than that responsibility blah blah.

Hey now, let's not focus on all the bad stuff. Those feasts we have on the souls of the banned are not only extremely tasty but they keep us eternally young as well!

*Sigh of relief* Now I don't have to be so nervous every time I post in the forum games with the fear of getting a low content warning. You also answered one of my stupid questions of how to become a mod which I would have never asked anyone but it was just as I thought. This is very helpful and answered all of my stupid little questions, Nice Job.

No, but they are exempt from low content. Please go there for low content comments.

How would mods go about punishing people for Facebook comments? The comments are supported through a plugin run via a different site and whilst you can link an Escapist account to a Facebook account, you don't have to in order to post Facebook comments from what I've seen so you can't simply punish the linked account every time. So how do Facebook posts get punished, are they just deleted or something?

No, but they are exempt from low content. Please go there for low content comments.

How would mods go about punishing people for Facebook comments? The comments are supported through a plugin run via a different site and whilst you can link an Escapist account to a Facebook account, you don't have to in order to post Facebook comments from what I've seen so you can't simply punish the linked account every time. So how do Facebook posts get punished, are they just deleted or something?

We can hide or bump individual comments, or ban a user from posting on facebook completely (I think it still lets them post, but only their friends see it). Also, if it's really bad, we can check to see if they match an account here of course.

What about trolling that happens without the "rules" being broken. such as intentionaly countering everyone in the thread with the intention of making them angry? They dont get a warning because they dont insult seems to be how it goes.

JET1971:What about trolling that happens without the "rules" being broken. such as intentionaly countering everyone in the thread with the intention of making them angry? They dont get a warning because they dont insult seems to be how it goes.

If we realize that one user is causing a lot of other people to flip out and land themselves warnings, we'll generally step in. Usually it comes in the form of an inflammatory thread topic, a la "Hey guys... what's the deal with MLP??"

what can we say?PHA+PGltZyBzcmM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudGVycmFyaWFvbmxpbmUuY29tL2F0dGFjaG1lbnRzL2hhdGVyc2dvbm5haGF0ZS1naWYuMzQ1Ny8iIGFsdD0iaW1hZ2UiLz48L3A+

JET1971:What about trolling that happens without the "rules" being broken. such as intentionaly countering everyone in the thread with the intention of making them angry? They dont get a warning because they dont insult seems to be how it goes.

Something to add: The low-content posts is a misnomer, it's all about the number of words. I.E. if it can be said in less than two sentences, you'll get an infraction, no matter how much it's worth saying. Repeat yourself but use slightly different wording to make that glass barrier.